Very Low Idle in P5
 

I just started noticing this over the weekend. Whenever I pull up to a stop light, my car starts to idle REALLY LOW. Like around 500 - 600 RPM. It didn't happen all the time either. Just occasionaly throughtout the weekend. Anyone know what might have caused this? I have done NO mods to the engine. I had also just filled up with gas at a different gas station than usual. Could it just have been some bad gas? Any Ideas?

Has it died on you? If not then I woudn't worry about it. How long have you had the car? My 3rd Gen 2.0 idles at around 500rpm when the engine finally warms up, but it did use to idle close to 1000rpm when I first bought it. I believe 500rpm is what it's set for, I have to recheck the manual. Anyway, I hope that helps.:cool:

hmm my p5 idles at 1100rpm when the engine is cold

yup, and when it is colder than where you are it will idle closer to 1500rpm, once it warms up it should settle in at about 700rpm (edited for accuracy).

Now THAT's what I call low idle... :)

he he he :rolleyes: 70rpm.... damn! ha! that's what the edit key is for... he he he;)

Thanks for the tips
 

Well, it seems the problem has gone away. My car is now starting to idle regularly. I wonder what could have caused it. It only happened those few times over the weekend. Oh well. If it comes back, I'll let people know and I'll also take it to the dealership.

I think you answered your question with your initial post. . . bad gas.

LOW IDLING PROBLEMS on proteges
 

For some reason a lot of proteges are having serious low idling problems leading to stalling and excessive vibrations..

It is inherent in 90-94 proteges..

I have it in my 96 (never resovled, and sometimes stalled... it went away when the warranty was up, but now its back with a vengence stalls so many times..))

My ex girflriends 99 Protege LX 1.8L automatic did the same thing after 60000kms.. and the steering wheel started to vibrate... tach showed about 500 rpms.. never did this when we picked it up brand new..

My (possible) new gf drives an 01 Protege LX 2.0L auto.. well not sure yet.. haven't driven her car.. :)

My other ex girlfriends 96 Civic SI Auto with 120,000 kms is starting to do this too... (she has eibach sportlines, gen3 altezzas, hipers allround, tint, jl audiosubs, etc,etc..)

Hmm.. i wonder..

ED

Unfortunately, on my car, the problem is much more than just the idle speed screw (trust my my idle screw is all worn out with so much adjusting... LOL)

But 75% of the time the car idles fine, but 25% of the time (and that number is starting to increase), the idle drops to like 200 rpms and either stalls out, or revs up to like 1500 rpms as if the car was just started again..

I think i got sensor problems (most likely ECT)..

ED

i have a 2002 P5 and it idles solidly at 700rpm on the dot and doesnt move. Of course this is when the engine if warmed up.

Idle problem 1995 Protege 1.5
 

I regestered at this site today just to let people know how I solved a rough idle problem. When coming to a stop the idle speed would drop, the car would shake and sometimes it would die. Especialy if the a/c was on.
I removed the throttle body and cleaned it with T.B. cleaner. Also cleaned the Idle Speed Control Valve.
I got the idea from Youtube. Just search "protege rough idle".

Good Luck,

I have to recheck the manual. Anyway, I hope that helps.